Make your bathroom more stylish with these sleek additions

Go with the Flow

Go with the Flow

Whether building a new home, updating or upgrading an existing bathroom or adapting it to meet changing family needs, you will want to get a handle on your options – and your budget. Here's a guide to help make sure your fittings (faucets, shower heads and tub fillers) fit your needs.

Tub

Tub

Style

Tubs that have a traditional design call for fittings with a traditional look, such as Lefroy Brooks (LefroyBrooks. com) floor-mount filler. Sleeker, more angular tubs call for a contemporary look, such as the Kohler Purist (kohler.com) or Hansgrohe Starck (HansGrohe-USA.com) fillers that are also floor mounted.

Function

Tub fillers can have a lever control or two individual handles. They can be mounted on the deck of the tub or on the floor at the end or side of the tub and can vary in height. Many fillers offer diverters that turn the faucet into a hand-held shower. Some offer programmable, digital technology or automatic shut-offs.

Cost

Adequate: Quality deck-mount fillers in popular finishes range from $250 to $400.

Mid-range: Fillers in a wide array of styles and finishes cost $400 to $1,200.

High-end: Floor mounted fillers, with more complex finishes and detailing, cost $1,200 to more than $2,500.